This was a good, twisty psychological thriller. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters because they were written very well. Learning a little bit about linguistics and forensic psychology was very interesting. At times this book had me on the edge of my seat and the twists were really exciting. This was my first book by the author and can’t wait to check out some of her other books.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eArc of The Lies You Wrote.

A dark and twisted psychological thriller, this book pulls readers into a world of manipulation and lies. The complex, unreliable characters make for a thrilling and unpredictable plot, with plenty of surprises along the way. Although the pacing is slow at times, the shocking twists and intricate narrative will keep readers hooked until the end.

The Lies You Wrote is book 1 in the Raisa Susanto series by Brianna Labuskes.
An engrossing, well developed, character-driven story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Forensic linguist Raisa Susanto is a strong female protagonist, I really enjoyed her character. I just wished she wasn't trying to prove herself a lot to men.
And her partner a forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny was another great character.
I thought the characters were strong and very likeable. This was a fantastic, intense, riveting crime thriller which grabbed me right from the start. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Brianna Labuskes with another win for a fantastic read! "The Lies You Wrote" is an intriguing tale and one I could not put done. She is an eloquet in her writing style and would recomment this book to readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

The writing of The Lies You Wrote is captivating, and a true page-turner. The depth of the characters and the story kept me hooked through to the last page.

I have gone back and forth with reading this book it's not kept my interest as well as I thought it would. Don't get me wrong it was good just something I could walk away from and come back to it

Brianna Labuskes' 'The Lies You Wrote' is a masterclass in storytelling. The multiple POVs and timelines are seamlessly woven together, keeping you engaged from start to finish. The insights into forensic linguistics add a fascinating dimension to the narrative, and Raisa's intriguing backstory promises an exciting evolution throughout the series.
Kilkenny proves to be the perfect partner for Raisa, adding depth to their dynamic. The book is a thrilling ride, with its fast pace and gripping plot twists keeping you guessing until the very end. 'The Lies You Wrote' delivers an unexpected conclusion that will leave you stunned. A must-read for anyone craving a captivating mystery!

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC.

In the intricate web of mystery and suspense, Brianna Labuskes delivers a compelling read with, "The Lies You Wrote."

This first installment in the Raisa Susanto series introduces us to a protagonist whose expertise in forensic linguistics sets her apart from the typical sleuths that populate the genre.

The story unfolds in the small town of Everly, Washington, where the past and present collide with a chilling echo of murders. Twenty-five years after a notorious double homicide, a new crime scene eerily reminiscent of the old stirs the quiet community and beckons the FBI to its doorstep. Enter Raisa Susanto, a forensic linguist with a keen eye for the subtleties of language, and her partner, Callum Kilkenny, a forensic psychologist with an uncanny ability to read between the lines of human behavior.

Labuskes weaves a tale that is as much about the pursuit of justice as it is about the exploration of language as a tool and a weapon. The narrative is rich with linguistic insights that add depth to the investigation, making "The Lies You Wrote" stand out in a crowded field of crime thrillers. Raisa's unique skill set allows her to parse clues from messages found on the dark web, drawing the reader into the shadowy corners of the internet where truth and fiction blur.

The novel's strength lies in its characters, particularly Raisa, whose background in linguistics is not just a profession but a passion that drives her. She is more than a detective; she is a decipherer of hidden truths, a trait that makes her both formidable and relatable. The dynamic between Raisa and Callum is another highlight, providing a partnership that balances professional acumen with personal complexity.

Labuskes' prose is sharp and evocative, painting a picture of Everly that is both intimate and foreboding. The plot is tightly constructed, with twists that are both surprising and satisfying. The author's attention to detail, especially in the depiction of forensic linguistics, adds authenticity to the story and educates the reader without overwhelming them.

"The Lies You Wrote" is a triumph of the mystery genre, offering a fresh perspective through the lens of language. It is a book that will resonate with fans of thrillers and linguistics alike, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next Raisa Susanto adventure. With this novel, Labuskes not only entertains but also enriches, proving once again that words have the power to reveal, to conceal, and to captivate.

A must read for mystery fans and lovers of linguistics and well-written works of fiction.

5 stars from this enthusiastic reviewer. I can't wait to read additional installments from this clever series.

A great new series with a crime mystery element. I liked the main character Raisa and her job was something new to me. Great story with many twists.

The Lies You Wrote
[First, I’d like to say, thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to review this ARC with honesty.]

So I’ve never read anything by this author before but have always been tempted by her other books. I am SO happy I read this one. It took me a bit and I apologize but when I started this, it was very hard to put down. The pacing was well done, the characters interesting enough that I became attached.

The ending - Ah, I need the next book!

For anyone that is looking for psychological thrillers, this is a good one. This appears to be leading into a series. Which is not a bad thing at all.

I will say I did see some of the twists coming and that doesn’t make it bad either. Parts were slightly murky and confusing but overall, if you kept attention for the most part you could piece it together.

My Rating: 4 Stars!

"Lies You Wrote" by Brianna Labuskes is a gripping thriller featuring FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto investigating a double murder mirroring a decades-old crime. Labuskes crafts a compelling protagonist and intricately woven plot filled with twists and turns. While the abundance of characters may be overwhelming, the story remains engaging with its incorporation of podcast snippets and interviews. However, some may find Raisa's need for validation and unresolved plot threads less appealing. Despite its flaws, "Lies You Wrote" captivates with its storytelling and leaves readers eager for more from this promising new series. Overall, a solid thriller deserving of 3.5 stars.

THE LIES YOU WROTE by Brianna Labuskes was a thrill ride of a whodunnit that will have you turning pages well into the night.

We meet Raisa Susanto, forensic linguist, Callum Kilkenny, forensic psychologist and Delaney Moore, a woman who picks up on patterns and things. They are all working together to find the copycat who killed Bob and Gina Balducci, reminiscent of a twenty five year old case involving the Parker family. But all may not be what it seemed if social media is to be believed.

As the three of them look at clues from their own perspectives and chosen occupations, they lean on each other to correctly interpret the clues left behind that could explain what they are seeing now. Each has a reason for wanting to appease their conscience for various past mistakes in solving this case.

Ms Labuskes has the knack of drawing you into the tunnel of a story and hoping for/dreading seeing the light at the end. I love her writing style as it leads to a very enjoyable read. I DID have some trouble at the end with names, but it just took a bit of concentration. (Not always an easy feat, I admit.) For that reason, I give a 4.5 but round up to a 5. The fact Ms Labuskes can move between genres shows that she is a true master of her craft. This is Book 1 of the Raisa Susanto series and I really look forward to following along as the character develops. Knowing the author’s abilities, I believe it will be a fun ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

The double murder of a married couple in a small Washington town draws FBI forensic linguist Raisa Susanto into an investigation that mirrors a decades-old crime. Twenty-five years ago—to the day—Alex Parker murdered his parents, then took his own life, leaving behind a note admitting everything.

Raisa, paired with forensic psychologist Callum Kilkenny, uses her skills to read between the lines. Especially now that paranoid postings on a conspiracy thread suggest that Alex was a victim himself—theories that have piqued the interest of a perceptive content moderator and a true-crime podcaster eager for a big break.

As old and new crimes converge, messages from the living and the confessions of the dead take on new meaning for Raisa. Something more sinister than a copycat crime is at play, and plundering the darkest corners of a killer’s mind leaves her vulnerable to a deadly twist even she never saw coming.

Sheer perfection from start to finish.

This was my first read from this author - I definitely will be watching for more! A great spin on a police procedural, it will keep you guessing! Worth your time, well written, and well paced!

Title: The Lies You Wrote (Raisa Susanto #1)
Author: Brianna Labuskes
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub date: 1/1/2024

If you are a Criminal Minds fan, you are going to enjoy this one. The book relies heavily on the science of finding a serial killer using a forensic linguist and a forensic psychologist. As these two FBI specialists analyze the clues pulled from the old and new murders, they are both carrying their own baggage which plays into their ability to trust what one another brings to the table. Details emerge that have them questioning everything including their own fields but, they are strong in the convictions of their work. Are they right? Will they be able to end this killer’s game?

Quick read that had my mind engaged.

Glad to know there is book #2 coming out in 2024.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for the opportunity to lose myself in these pages.

This was a fantastic debut of a new procedural series with a great new female lead. A linguist and a forensic psychologist. An old crime and a new one.

I thought this book was really interesting, kept me on my toes and guessing right up to the end. I liked the alternating viewpoints and articles/podcast transcripts worked in as well. A great read and a fascinating new series. I really likes Raisa and Callum and can't wait to see what they do next!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brianna Labuskes and Thomas and Merced for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting new series! I can’t wait to read the next one. Love how linguistics. Was easily explained in nice bite sized paragraphs. It wasn’t the entire story either and the twists. I didn’t see all of that coming!

Intense, addictive, and smart murder mystery that rises above the rest. Complex mystery tying past and present murders within a small town with secrets within secrets - add in forensic linguistics and psychology and you have a real treat for mystery fans! Can't wait for more ...

I have read a few thrillers of various tropes and this is my favorite out of my most recent reads. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey I was taken on and felt like I was trying to solve the crime alongside the characters.

This felt like a true crime podcast or documentary. There were multiple perspectives and had an interesting cast of characters. I almost felt like I was watching something unfold on TV. There are somethings you might be able to guess ahead of their reveals but I don't think that takes away from it when they are finally revealed. The book is well done and paced properly.

If you like something that wraps neatly up at the end you might be disappointed. There will be a second book but I doubt some of the loose ends will be mentioned again since it's focusing on a different serial killer and story.

An interesting parallel, Delaney Moore was described to be very similar to Penelope from Criminal Minds. I wonder if that was an influence on the book or characters.

At the end the names of the characters did become confusing and I wished the author would have stuck with one name for each person and maybe even kept them all related. Either choose their real names or their aliases. The inconsistency while all the information was coming together made it difficult to get the full effect of the reveals.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC for an honest review.